Airtel Africa Plc recorded a 20.5 percent increase in profit after tax to $452 million for the six months ended September 30, 2026, supported by stronger demand for data services and growth in its mobile money business.
The telecommunications company reported revenue of $3.82 billion, representing a 28.2 percent increase from the $2.98 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Data services remained a major contributor to the performance, generating $1.57 billion in revenue, up from $1.16 billion a year earlier. This represents a 35.3 percent increase in reported currency and a 28 percent rise in constant currency.
The results reflect growing demand for internet access and digital services across the company’s African markets.
Data customers drive revenue growth
Airtel Africa’s data business benefited from an expanding customer base and increased smartphone usage.
The company’s data customer base grew by 15 percent to 89.9 million, while average data revenue per user increased by 10.7 percent in constant currency.
Smartphone penetration also rose to 51.6 percent, with monthly data consumption per smartphone customer increasing to 13.3GB from 10.1GB in the previous year.
Overall, Airtel Africa’s customer base expanded by 11.6 percent to 193.9 million.
Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the company’s investment in its network and digital capabilities was supporting customer growth and stronger demand for its services.
He added that the business continued to benefit from favourable demographic and economic conditions, alongside increasing demand for data and financial services.
Mobile money business records stronger growth
Airtel Africa’s mobile money operations also contributed to the improved financial results.
Revenue from the business increased by 25.8 percent in constant currency, while its customer base grew by 22.4 percent to 60.9 million.
Payments and transfers revenue rose by 29.8 percent, while revenue from financial services increased by 56.9 percent.
The company also recorded more than 2.5 million active mobile money agents, representing a 25.3 percent increase from the previous year. Active merchants grew by 85.5 percent to more than 587,000.
The expansion comes after Airtel Mobile Commerce, the holding company for Airtel Africa’s mobile money operations, was listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market on October 14, 2026.
The transaction involved the sale of existing shares, with Airtel Africa retaining a 77.85 percent stake in the business.
Operating profit increases despite higher costs
Airtel Africa’s operating performance improved during the period, with operating profit rising by 34.2 percent to $1.29 billion.
Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 32.8 percent to $1.92 billion. Its underlying EBITDA margin also improved to 50.3 percent from 48.5 percent a year earlier.
However, higher finance costs affected the company’s earnings. Net finance costs increased to $477 million from $304 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
The company also recorded lower foreign exchange and derivative gains than in the previous year, alongside exceptional expenses linked to a commercial dispute settlement and the Airtel Money listing.
Despite these pressures, profit after tax increased from $376 million to $452 million.
Airtel Africa increases dividend for shareholders
The company’s improved performance also supported a higher interim dividend.
Airtel Africa’s board approved an interim dividend of 3.1 US cents per share for the half year, representing a 9.2 percent increase from the previous year’s payment.
The dividend is scheduled for payment on December 11, 2026, to shareholders on the register as of November 13.
Airtel Africa also returned $108.7 million to shareholders through its share buyback programme, repurchasing 24.5 million shares during the period.
The results show how data consumption and mobile financial services are becoming increasingly important to Airtel Africa’s business, as the company continues investing in network expansion and digital services across its markets.
